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Open AccessArticle
High Neural Efficiency in Unconscious Perceptual Processing Among Table Tennis Athletes: An Event-Related Potential Study
by
Jilong Shi
Jilong Shi 1,†,
Haojie Huang
Haojie Huang 2,†,
Fatima A. Nasrallah
Fatima A. Nasrallah 3 and
Anmin Li
Anmin Li 1,*
1
School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
2
Department of Physical Education, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
3
Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(8), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080756 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 26 June 2024
/
Revised: 25 July 2024
/
Accepted: 26 July 2024
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Published: 27 July 2024
Abstract
Background: Neural efficiency refers to the brain’s ability to function with reduced resource expenditure while maintaining high performance levels. Previous research has demonstrated that table tennis athletes have greater neural efficiency at the conscious level. However, it is unknown whether they exhibit greater neural efficiency at the unconscious level. Therefore, this study aims to investigate unconscious perceptual processing and neural efficiency in elite table tennis athletes through tasks involving the judgment of spin serves. Methods: Fifty healthy, right-handed individuals participated in this study, including 25 elite table tennis athletes and 25 control participants without professional training experience. To evaluate the unconscious perceptual characteristics of both groups, we used a combination of masked priming paradigm and event-related potential techniques. Results: The behavioral results reveal that, compared to the control group, the table tennis athletes displayed reduced reaction times (p < 0.001) and increased priming effects (p < 0.001) under unconscious conditions. The electrophysiological findings indicated that both groups elicited N1, N2, and P2 components. Notably, compared to the control group, the table tennis athletes exhibited significantly lower amplitude responses at the occipital lobe electrodes PO3, POz, PO4, O1, Oz, and O2 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results further support the neural efficiency hypothesis, indicating that prolonged professional training enhances athletes’ capacities for specialized unconscious cognitive processing.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Shi, J.; Huang, H.; Nasrallah, F.A.; Li, A.
High Neural Efficiency in Unconscious Perceptual Processing Among Table Tennis Athletes: An Event-Related Potential Study. Brain Sci. 2024, 14, 756.
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080756
AMA Style
Shi J, Huang H, Nasrallah FA, Li A.
High Neural Efficiency in Unconscious Perceptual Processing Among Table Tennis Athletes: An Event-Related Potential Study. Brain Sciences. 2024; 14(8):756.
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080756
Chicago/Turabian Style
Shi, Jilong, Haojie Huang, Fatima A. Nasrallah, and Anmin Li.
2024. "High Neural Efficiency in Unconscious Perceptual Processing Among Table Tennis Athletes: An Event-Related Potential Study" Brain Sciences 14, no. 8: 756.
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080756
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